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Data analytics prepares Concordia students for the future

The world is producing more data than ever before. What was once understandable at a glance now requires specialized tools, processes, and critical thinking to interpret. Through data analytics at Concordia College, students learn to transform data into useful insights that inform meaningful decisions.

Where data analytics begins at Concordia

For Dr. Gregory Tanner, associate professor of mathematics and computer science, introducing students to data analytics begins in DATA 200, Concordia’s introductory data course. There, he focuses on showing students what data can do. 

“Knowing the context that the data lives in, that’s where the real kind of power gets unlocked,” Tanner said.

Through data visualization, students learn how to tell stories with the data, uncover patterns, and discover insights they may not have noticed before. He also introduces them to data modeling, where students explore how data can be interpreted, what mechanisms may be driving outcomes, and how information can be used to make predictions.

Data analytics program options

Concordia College has a variety of choices in the study of data analytics, including a minor, a concentration in data analytics within the computer science major, and an undergraduate certificate in applied data analytics. These programs differ in how in-depth a student wants to go and how data-focused they want their career to be.

Why study data analytics?

Data analytics is not limited to any specific major or field and, in fact, can give students a competitive advantage because data is everywhere. Also, data analytics builds skills that Tanner believes will be important in the workplace going forward.

These skills include building predictive models that can be used in fields like marketing to identify potential customers, or in healthcare to analyze trends and improve decision-making. Data analytics has numerous uses and applications that extend beyond a single career and acts as a complement to specialized knowledge across different fields. 

Who is data analytics for?

Because data analytics complements numerous fields, it is not limited to one type of student or one career path.

For those considering data analytics, Tanner recommends being flexible and open-minded when exploring new courses. Reflecting on his own undergraduate journey, where a minor eventually turned into a major and later a doctorate in applied math, he encourages students not to be afraid to deviate from what they decided on day one at Concordia. 

“If you’ve got time, if you’ve got space in your schedule, add more as you're able,” he suggests.

Why study data analytics at Concordia?

Concordia offers a unique and meaningful educational experience as a liberal arts institution, and its data analytics program equips students with practical skills and real-world applications, providing knowledge of data software, teaching the interpretation behind the numbers, and helping students make meaningful decisions based on data and its impacts.

Additionally, Concordia’s data analytics program is intentionally designed to be short, allowing students the flexibility to pursue a second major or a minor in a field or area that aligns with their other interests. This approach encourages students to think beyond the technical skills alone and envision how those skills can manifest in their desired careers and industries.

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Written by Nadira Kakonge ’27